Seven Letters to Live By: Respect: "How to Dream with Your Eye's Open"

By Saitia Faaifo

Saitia faaifo calls it Seven Letters to live by: RESPECT. Youll call it the most significant and inspirational book you ever read.

If you ever dreamed of a book that demonstrates the true essence of Respect and how to achieve the extraordinary quality of life you desire and deserve, while mastering your personal and professional life. Then this Book is for you! Saitia Faaifo has proved to thousands over and over through his Books, CDs and seminars around the country that by harnessing and practicing the Universal language called Respect as well as adapting a Yes I can Attitude and a relentless commitment to your goals, you can and will live the life you always dreamed of.

In his book he teaches you:

The seven letters to live by R.E.S.P.E.C.T
How to demonstrate Respect at work
How to face your fears and do it anyway
How your Network will determine your Net worth
How to create instant rapport with anyone you meet
Discover your purpose in life
Develop a specific plan for achieving your goals

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Nov 4, 2008
• ISBN: 9781440103926

Saitia Faaifo

A loving father, dedicated son and supporting brother, Saitia Faaifo is also a Hawaiian born, Samoan author, inspirational leader, motivational speaker, and ‘Respect’ activist. He is the author of four books, including the 2008 release, highly acclaimed Seven Letters to Live By: RESPECT. An empathic thinker, with a rare intellect and a deeply altruistic stance, Faaifo strives to teach the world and its people the importance of incorporating an element of respect within their lives – for themselves and for others. Disturbed, concerned and disquieted with the world and the way it’s progressing, Saitia Faaifo is on a quest to lead a monumental movement to motivate people to realize, acknowledge and honor respect as the core value that distinguishes the humans from the heathens. Emboldened with the unwavering support of his followers, readers, and fellow readers, Faaifo is on a mission to create a world where people value and appreciate one another – finding a middle ground that equates us all, instead of dwelling on the differences which continually divide. His latest book ‘Respect Matters – How to Empower, Enrich and Elevate People’ is dedicated to showcasing the various facets of Respect, and how it influences the various aspects of life. Saitia has devoted much of his life to observing, studying and discovering the endless advantages of incorporating elements of respect within one’s lifestyle and the magnitude of the disadvantages that befall those who disregard its worth. His unconventional approach to leadership, growth, and success, all led by respect has motivated and inspired many leaders and organizations to instill within their business and life practices, a respectful perspective.

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Copyright © 2008 by Saitia Faaifo

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any Web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

ISBN: 978-1-4401-0391-9 (pbk)

ISBN: 978-1-4401-0884-6 (cloth)

ISBN: 978-1-4401-0392-6 (ebk)

iuniverse rev.date 10/17/08

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Introduction: Seven Letters To Live By:

What Are The Results Of Disrespect?

Chapter One: Who Am I?

My Mother

My Father

Discipline And Love

Responsibilities

Pivotal Moments In My Youth

Mrs. Lee

Basketball

Leading By Example

A Lesson In Leadership From My Father

A Lesson In Leadership From My Heart

Chapter Two: Respect In The Workplace

Building Success From Within Oneself

Earning Respect

Being Respectful

Continuous Learner

Being Inventive And Having Fun

Sharing Information

Taking Initiative

Being A Leader

Motivational Concepts

Why Am I On The Payroll?

A Company’s Greatest Asset Are Its Employees.

The Director From Hell

Strength In Unity

Respect For Diversity And Differences In A Multi-Cultural Society

Seven Letters To Live By

Chapter Three: Community

Where It All Began

Motivating Children

Celebrating Diversity

An Ongoing Commitment

Chapter Four: Exercises

Stick Person

Qualities And Skills I Need To Become The Leader I Want To Be

Goal Setting

Bamboo Lesson

The Rewards Of Respect

Chapter Five: Aloha!

Another Expression Of Aloha!

The Legacy Of Aloha!

Chapter Five Lesson: Cultivating A Sense Of Wealth

Chapter Six: Knocking On Heaven’s Door

It’s Show Time!

Chapter Six Lesson: Affirmations And Visualizing

Chapter Seven: My Plan To Change My Life

Facing Fear And Doubt

Having A Strategy

The Samoan Way

Chapter Seven Lesson: Making Your Plan

Chapter Eight: My Plan Continues To Unfold

Letting The Process Flow

Learning To Change Your Mind

And Behind This Door…?

Chapter Eight Lesson: Paying Attention

Chapter Nine: The Second Wave On Hawaiian Shores

Forging Ahead

Chapter Nine Lesson: Circle Of Strength.

Chapter Ten: What A Difference A Day Makes

The Perry And Price Show

The Hawaii Arts And Book Festival

Barnes & Noble

Meanwhile, Back At The Ranch…

Chapter Ten Lesson: Take Action

Chapter Eleven: Unexpected Opportunities

The Music Box

Random Acts Of Kindness

Chapter Eleven Lesson: Ways To Commit Your Own Acts Of Kindness.

Chapter Twelve: Finding Your Niche

The Spam Jam

The Nfl

Chapter Twelve Lesson: Networking

Final Thoughts

When You Wish Upon A Star

Bio For Dr. Aloha (Saitia Faaifo)

In Conclusion

Praises for Seven Letters to Live by RESPECT……………

Dr. Aloha, Saitia Faaifo, was a keynote and workshop speaker at the 2007 National Pacific Islander Educator Network (NPIEN) Conference in Paramount , California . This annual community conference includes teachers, parents, students, and community member attendees. The audience was captivated by Saitia’s words of inspiration and motivation, as he challenged young people to believe, to believe that they could do something out of the box, be someone that did not fit the usual Pacific Islander stereotypes of non-academic and athletic. His story of rising from poverty to corporate America is one of the most significant to be told in our community, and is centered in a central belief in our culture, respect. I encourage all readers to give serious thought to the messages in this book, so that future generations of Pacific Islander youth can rise up and show the world we can succeed, despite all those who say we cannot! As my father said so long ago, Don’t listen to those who say you can’t, focus on your goal. Dr. Aloha is a mastermind at helping us to focus!

Dr. Victor C. Thompson, Executive Director

National Pacific Islander Educator Network

Mr. Faaifo’s life experience as a youth in Hawaii is a story that needs to be told over and over again---he brings out the best in us---and shows you how to overcome adversity and the dark side of life---I recommend highly his book as text material for our young people.

Congressman, Eni F.H. Faleomavaega

Saitia is amazing, he is a talented motivational Speaker and Author, his messages hits you right in the heart!"

Mickey Souza

President, Toastmasters international

Castro Valley, ca District 57

Saitia Faaifo’s message and Presentation at my admissions retreat was Right on Time he was able to establish from his talk, a core of Respect that my three different departments were able to build on in breaking down barriers and improving communications and working relations, his book has provided a tool for us to reinforce the concepts he presented in hi talks……our admissions staff is on their way of becoming a TEAM.

Marshall C Rose

Associate Vice President

Enrollment and Academic Services

San Jose State University

Saitia , the King of Aloha, is representative of the Aloha Spirit. Oahu is known as The Gathering place. Saitia obviously knows how to bring people together and assist them in their future endeavors.

Tony Santos

Mayor, San Leandro , Ca

Saitia has both the personality and character to make a positive impact in the personal and professional development industry"

Brain Tracy,

International Speaker, trainer, Author,

The Million dollar Habits

Saitia’s message in his books is Powerful!. In fact, I love his book so much that I use the stories in his books when I speak to my audiences, especially when I speak to the diversity of our youths. I love Saitia’s dedication. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is ready to be inspired and in getting a kick start in achieving their Goals and living their DREAMS!

Augie T

Hawaii’s Award winning

comedian of the Year

Dedication

I am dedicating this book to my beautiful, loving, mother, Eloise Faaifo, and my strong, protective and humble father, Saitia Faaifo Sr. Both of you have been my role models for hard work, dedication, and unconditional love, that will influence my life forever!

Acknowledgments

I would like to acknowledge my siblings: my brothers, Leonides Tito Echevarria, Michael Faaifo and my sisters, Vicky Echevarria, Ivette Echevarria and Vaiola Faaifo. Your collective strength, courage, faith and standing tall in times of difficulties, is a tribute to our family’s love for life and for one another. I love you all. To my three beautiful children, Evangalique Kehau Faaifo, Saitia Kawika Faaifo and Amber Leilani Faaifo. Daddy loves you all with all his heart.

To my late publisher, Lakisha Marie Tanksley: Your belief in me has strengthened me. Your spirit lives on in me.

I am also grateful to all the countless lives that have touched mine and helped shape me into the person I am today.

I would also like to acknowledge my God-gifted and talented writing partner Sally Schloss. Sally, you are the true essence of the human spirit. Words cannot express the appreciation and Respect I have for you. It has been said that the first step in living your dreams is to jump and the net will appear. Well when I decided to take that leap of faith in the creation of this book, I jumped and you appeared. Sally, you are, and always will be my Angel of Faith. Simply Extraordinary!

I would also like to acknowledge a few more instrumental people in my life.

Augie T., Hawaii’s #1 Comedian and Humanitarian. Augie, thanks for believing in me and giving me my first opportunity on the radio.

Don Muriset, Don thank you giving my first position as a leader over twenty years ago.

Fran Briggs my friend and publicist. Thank you for helping me spread my message, my vision, and my purpose to the world.

Wendy Brickman, my friend and awesome Publicist.

Eric Karsaboom. Eric thanks for always keeping me in check when life was grabbing me by the collar and shaking my confidence.

Katherine Payne the Principal at Farrington High School in Hawaii. Katherine, thank you for giving me my first opportunity to speak to your wonderful and talented students. You will always be my Principal of the Year!

Martina H. for defining the words Trust and Honesty. You are a Gem!

Paul Jacobs my close friend for almost twenty years now. Paul thanks for our character building phone conversations over the years. They have indeed strengthened me. Les Brown, for being a powerful figure in my life, and from whom I’ve learned so much. Thank you for your inspirational book, The Courage to Live Your Dreams which changed my life forever after reading it in 1994.

Mark Victor Hansen and Jack Canfield for taking the time, and giving me sound advice on how to make an impact for the betterment of people.

Brian Tracy for taking time out to give me words of encouragement.

Denis Waitley for also giving me words of encouragement about my vision.

Honolulu, Hawaii’s Mayor, Mufi Hannemann. Mufi, thank you for supporting my Vision and my Purpose. You have been a role model for me.

Congressman Eni Faleomavaega, Eni thank you for all your support over the last several years. You are an incredibly honorable man. Talofa! To The Honorable Mayor of San Leandro, Ca Tony Santos. Thank you for giving endorsing my Books and believing in my mission. To Rich Paschburg, thanks for your unconditional support throughout the last few years.

Craig Kennedy my good friend who never stop believing in me and my dream!

Teddy Huch my close friend growing up in Hawaii, you are my Hero!

Everything I am and everything I ever hope to be I owe to the Lord, my Mother and my Father

Saitia Faaifo

Whatever you do for yourself in life you take to your grave, but what you do for others you leave behind with them.

~Les Brown

Introduction: Seven Letters to live by:

This is a book about surviving and excelling, and the lessons that have enriched my life, and made my journey possible. I am sharing my story and knowledge in the hope of assisting others in their lives. This is not a book about how to get rich, (although material riches, even wealth can be a bi-product of these practices), but rather I’m speaking about the kind of riches that can enhance everyone’s life: at work, at home, with strangers, bosses, friends, and loved ones. I’m speaking of the riches that come from leading a respectful life.

Respect is something earned, based on how you behave in the world. This comes from a deep place of compassion, love, and imaginatively knowing what it is like to walk in someone else’s shoes. It is something that is sorely lacking in the world. In business, there are many managers who don’t treat their employees with respect. People who are culturally different are often not respected, and some of today’s youth disrespect their teachers, parents, and classmates.

The list of bad behavior is long: interrupting, harassing, bullying, punishing, victimizing, back talking, putting down, excluding, ignoring, making fun of, humiliating, and at its worst, killing and warring.

WHAT ARE THE RESULTS OF DISRESPECT?

Poor student behavior forces schools to become places where teachers have to discipline and maintain order rather than teach. Gang activity in both the inner city and suburbs has increased by 200 percent since 2002. Eighty-five percent of employees in America today feel unappreciated and unacknowledged for their contributions and hard work. Over half the families today don’t have a father at home to help raise and protect their children. Racism is still destroying lives with hate